The Cushing House is operated by the Gavin Foundation, Inc. The mission of the program is to provide a stabilizing transitional care residence for substance abusing young men and women who are unable to be served in a less restrictive facility. The typical client is diagnosed with moderate to severe substance abuse and in need of support. Resident's have evidence of difficulty with traditional institutions and/or some experience with the court, social service or youth services system.
The program does provide a nurturing, structured and safe environment for youngsters who are living in disorganized, fragmented and dysfunctional circumstance. It promotes self-care, self-reliance and community responsibility, both through structured activities and the experience of living in this residential milieu. Clients are expected to participate in cooking, cleaning and other residential chores. The program uses psycho-education and recovery support as the primary stabilization and teaching tools. Specifically, the program educates clients on the nature of addiction, introduces the practice and principles of recovery, helps clients affirm a positive value system and establishes a web of services to support client’s sobriety during and after their stay in the program.
The program has been designed using the concepts of self-help, goal orientation, peer support, mentoring/role modeling and group work, in conjunction with clinical services. The program considers addiction to be a family disease and as such will stress family participation in treatment planning, selected program activities, counseling services and discharge planning. Personnel involved with the program include a mix of staff in recovery, licensed professionals, community workers and specialized trainers.
The Cushing House is fully committed to and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation or veteran status.
The program has a capacity of sixteen beds for young men and twelve beds for young women between the ages of 16 and 19. The residential component consists of three phases and is a 6 month program.
Program Services
The Program provides the following services:
? Intake/assessment
? Comprehensive substance abuse treatment
? Mental health counseling services referral and planning
? Case management/service referral and coordination
? Psycho-education
? Primary care assurance & health education
? Life skills enhancement and vocational/educational support
? Recovery support
? Aftercare planning
? Discharge planning
? Parents support group
With the exception of primary care and some vocational/educational support, all the above services will be provided on site. In addition to these services, clients will have the opportunity to participate in other activities supporting their stabilization. These include off-site recreation, off-site community service, off-site cultural activities and on-site informal counseling by the program’s staff counselors.
Cushing House Groups
Morning Meditation:
This group is attended by all residents in the house and will be moderated by a staff counselor. This group meets every morning at 7:45 a.m. in the conference room. This group’s focus is on learning to start each day with a positive thought and a daily reminder of their program of recovery.
Activity Group:
This group meets Friday at 1:00 p.m. in the conference room and will be attended by all residents. This group will start with an interactive exercise designed to stimulate and motivate each resident. Each resident is required to participate within their physical limitation. This group will focus on individuality within a group and be moderated by a staff counselor.
House Meeting:
This group meets Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the conference room. All residents must attend. This group will discuss issues concerning group living and taking personal responsibility for our behavior. The group will learn how to confront people in a non threatening manner and become able to take criticism in a positive way. This group will be facilitated by a staff counselor.
Four on One Group & Individual Counseling:
This group of four residents will meet on Tuesday and Night at 6:30 p.m. in assigned counseling rooms for one hour, for the duration of their stay at Cushing House. It is moderated by a Staff Counselor, the focus being on the needs of the four individuals in the group. On Thursday between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. your assigned counselor will meet with you one on one for at least 30 minutes. There is always an opportunity to see the counselor on an individual, by appointment, basis. Cushing House has an open door policy for all our residents. There is a staff member available to residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Step Group:
This group will meet on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:45 a.m. in the conference room. All residents are required to attend and participate. The purpose of this group is to introduce each resident to the first five steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous program. Staff counselors may assist residents with proceeding steps or refer resident to the AAWOL program. Staff counselor will facilitate step meetings.
Health Education Group:
This group will be attended by all residents on Thursday at 8:45 a.m. in the conference room. This group will have classes ranging from health issues such as HIV training, STD’s , nutrition and personal hygiene. This group will also focus on personal growth in areas of finance, education and vocation. This group will be moderated by a staff member.
Family group:
This group is for family members to participate in the resident’s recovery. The family is encouraged to attend these meetings. The groups focus will be on a healthy reunification of the family and is and extremely important part of implementing a successful discharge plan. This group meets every other Monday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Relapse Prevention/Recovery Worksheet:
These groups are held in the conference room daily at 10:30 a.m. all residents must attend. The group will focus on learning and identifying personal triggers which may lead to relapse. Counselors will use literature to facilitate discussion concerning relapse, sponsorship in the AA program, to raise self awareness around the issue of anger and to learn proper coping skills.
AA Big Book Meeting:
This meeting will be held in the living room Sunday at 10:00 a.m. all resident must attend. The meeting will consist of reading a chapter of the AA Big Book with discussion to follow. This group will work as an introduction to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous and will be facilitated by a staff member.
This meeting will be held in the living room Sunday at 10:00 a.m. all resident must attend. The meeting will consist of reading a chapter of the AA Big Book with discussion to follow.This group will work as an introduction to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous and will be facilitated by a staff member.
AAWOL Meeting:
When Residents come into Cushing House they will be assigned to an AAWOL group. AAWOL (Alcoholics Anonymous Way Of Life) This meets every Tuesday Night at 7:30 at the Tynan School. Residents will remain in the same group for the duration of their stay at Gavin House. This group meets for 1 and 1/2 hours and is an in-dept study and application of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. All Phase 1 residents will be transported to and from AAWOL by Cushing House staff. Phase 2 and Phase 3 residents will find there own way to and from AAWOL using the Buddy system. They are required to be back by 10:15.
Alumni Meeting:
Residents who have been in the program for 45 days will be required to attend the alumni meeting held at the Tynan school on Monday nights 7:00 to 8:00. Transportation will not be provided to and from this meeting, residents are required to return on their own by 10:15.
Outside Meetings:
Outside meetings are required six nights a week for the first 45 days; the following is a sample list of meetings they will attend. Transportation will be provided.
MONDAY: Alumni Group 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday: AAWOL 7:30
WEDNESDAY: First Baptist young people 8:00p.m.
THURSDAY: Gavin group 8:00 p.m.
FRIDAY: New Boston beginners 6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY: All Saints young people 7:30 p.m.
SUNDAY: Fourth Presbyterian young people 7:30 p.m.
